Adanto Vanguard

Constructed: 2.0

Constructed has advanced past 3 power for 2 mana being exciting by itself, but adding a good protection ability makes this interesting. It’s not great against aggro, given that it blocks as a 1/1 and costs you 4 life if they block, though I can see it backing up a white beatdown deck as another aggressive 2-drop.

Demystify

Constructed: 2.0

It’s not a big mystery that this is sideboard-only, and quite mediocre.

Duskborne Skymarcher

Constructed: 2.0

A 1/1 flyer for 1 in a relevant tribe that has a useful activated ability could get there, even if Vampires doesn’t look like it’s got everything it needs yet.

Imperial Lancer

Constructed: 2.0

If this always had double strike, it would be an interesting way to make use of pump spells. Requiring a Dinosaur makes it tougher, and it might be hard to put all of the pieces together.

Inspiring Cleric

Constructed: 2.5

This does not come with everything and the kitchen sink, but it still might be a fine option against red decks.

Ixalan’s Binding

Constructed: 2.0

Cast Out isn’t seeing a ton of play, and this is way less powerful, though the upside of sniping a key card and stranding the rest is pretty sweet.

Kinjalli’s Sunwing

Constructed: 2.5

The combination of an aggressive creature with evasion and an ability that prevents blocking is nice. For this to be playable, there would need to be a ton of creature decks battling, and for a 2/3 flyer to line up right against the removal. I don’t see that right now, given how many Lightning Strikes, Abrades, and Harnessed Lightnings are running around, but this might make it at some point.

Legion’s Landing

Constructed: 3.0

It doesn’t seem too hard to get Legion’s Landing to flip, at which point you get a 1/1 lifelink and a token-generating land for just 1 mana. If you can reliably flip in the first few turns, this does a lot, and it can be a great addition to any low-curve beatdown deck. A creature that is also a land (and a land with an extra ability no less) is worth investigating, especially now that your 1-drops will no longer do the investigating for you.

Mavren Fein, Dusk Apostle

Constructed: 2.0

Assuming you get a Vampire right away, this isn’t the worst deal in the world. I won’t feign too much interest, but you could do worse in a 3-drop lord.

Priest of the Wakening Sun

Constructed: 2.0

The tutor ability is expensive enough that I don’t see it pulling its weight against control decks, and gaining 2 a turn isn’t going to do much there either. It could be a sweet sideboard card against aggro, so if there’s a midrange white deck full of Dinos, this could be worth a look.

Sanguine Sacrament

Constructed: 2.0

Is this the new Elixir of Immortality? Probably not, but it’s a cute way to deck the opponent while you gain 30 life a turn.

Settle the Wreckage

Constructed: 3.0

Even if the opponent leaves creatures back to play around this, you’ve bought yourself a full turn at least. Add that to the ability to wipe the opponent’s board and you have a very real card. Giving them lands is meaningful, but the returns are indeed diminishing, and at some point this gains effective card advantage.

Sheltering Light

Constructed: 2.0

Gods Willing saw some play, though that could make a creature unblockable as well. This has potential if you have a deck that needs to protect critical creatures, even if being unable to stop bounce or exile effects does give me pause.

Wakening Sun’s Avatar

Constructed: 2.0

Eight is just too much to rely on, unless you are ramping absurdly well. I also don’t like that this misses on some big Standard threats, making me less inclined to root for the Dino in this particular battle.

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Luis is one of the most accomplished players in Magic: the Gathering history. His resume includes eight PT top 8s with a win at Berlin in 2008, fifteen GP Top 8s with five wins, and a Hall of Fame induction in 2013. He can often be found playing Vintage in between competitions and loves any format where Force of Will is legal.